Quercus nuttallii &#39;Firecracker&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Quercus  cultivar named ‘FIRECRACKER’ is disclosed, characterized by having a broad pyramidal, moderately compact growth habit and red new growth, both in Spring and Summer. The new variety is a  Quercus , normally produced as a small ornamental tree or shrub.

Latin name of the genus and species: Quercus nuttallii.

Variety denomination: ‘FIRECRACKER’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery. The new was discovered as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation from the parent variety Quercus nuttallii. The inventor discovered a single plant with bright red foliage growing among a commercial planting of Quercus nuttallii at a commercial nursery in Monticello, Fla. The new variety was first selected in Spring of 2007, by the inventor, Douglas Corley.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘FIRECRACKER’ was first performed at a commercial nursery in Monticello, Fla. by grafting dormant budwood onto Quercus nuttallii during May of 2013. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘FIRECRACKER’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘FIRECRACKER’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘FIRECRACKER’ as a new and distinct Quercus cultivar:

-   -   1. Red foliage color in Spring.     -   2. Red foliage color in subsequent flushes after Spring     -   3. Intense red foliage color lasts approximately 1 month.     -   4. Smaller growth habit than typical of Quercus nuttallii.     -   5. Greyed-Purple branches.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FIRECRACKER’ are similar to plants of the parent, Quercus nuttallii in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘FIRECRACKER’ have red new foliage. Additionally, plants of the new variety are smaller than those of the parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FIRECRACKER’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety Quercus nuttallii ‘QNSTD’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,254 in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘FIRECRACKER’ branches less densely and at a less acute         angle.     -   2. ‘FIRECRACKER’ has new foliage colored near Greyed-Red 182A,         heavily flushed Red 53A. The red foliage color of the comparator         is Red-Purple 59A     -   3. Red foliage coloration of ‘FIRECRACKER’ persists longer than         the red foliage coloration of this comparator.     -   4. ‘FIRECRACKER’ has Greyed-Purple mature petioles, this         comparator has Yellow-Green mature petioles

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FIRECRACKER’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety Quercus nuttallii ‘QNMTF’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,550 in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘FIRECRACKER’ branches less densely.     -   2. ‘FIRECRACKER’ has new foliage colored near Greyed-Red 182A,         heavily flushed Red 53A, the red foliage color of the comparator         is Greyed-Purple 183A.     -   3. Red foliage coloration of ‘FIRECRACKER’ persists longer than         the red foliage coloration of this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘FIRECRACKER’ grown outdoors. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 8 years. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘FIRECRACKER’ plants grown outdoors in Monticello, Fla. Growing conditions are similar to USDA Zone 8b. Age of the plants when described is approximately 1 year old. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Quercus nuttallii ‘FIRECRACKER’. -   Propagation: -   Time to initiate roots: About 6 to 8 weeks at approximately 24° C. -   Root description: Typical Quercus root, woody, smaller roots     fibrous. Roots brown, color not accurately measured with R.H.S.     chart. -   Plant: -   Growth habit: Broadly pyramidal, medium sized deciduous tree. -   Pot size of described plant: 3 gallon pot. -   Height: Approximately 1 meter after 1 year. -   Plant spread: Approximately 0.5 meters after 1 year. -   Branching characteristics: Branching forming approximately 10 cm to     20 cm apart, in an opposite to whorled pattern. Branching angle     approximately 45° to 90° from trunk. -   Individual branch characteristics (of 1 year old tree):     -   -   Length.—up to 25 cm.         -   Diameter.—up to 0.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth and very slightly glaucous.         -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple N186A. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 1 cm, after 1 year. Measured             approximately 10 cm above the ground.         -   Texture.—Glabrous with lenticels. Glaucous on older trunk,             closest to trunk base. Glaucous characteristic reduced on             younger trunk, to nearly absent at top. Younger trunk             ridged, with scant or no lenticels.         -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple N186B. Glaucous covering of             lower trunk near RHS Greyed-Purple N187D. -   Foliage: -   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, forming a loose spiral.         -   Average length.—Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 4.5 to 7.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Overall shape elliptic, deeply lobed.             Tyically 7 to 10 irregularly shaped and sized lobes. Lobe             depth average range from approximately 1.5 cm to 3.5 cm.             Lobe with average range from approximately 1.0 cm to 3.0 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, with matte appearance.         -   Texture of lower surface.—Glabrous, with matte appearance.         -   Leaf internode length.—Average range 1.5 cm to 3 cm.         -   Color.—Spring new foliage Upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Red             182A background, heavily flushed 53A. Under side: Near RHS             Red 46C Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A.             Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Fall             Coloration: No change in coloration observed during the Fall             in Monticello, Fla. -   Foliage:     -   -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate Color: Young foliage: Venation color             upper side: Near RHS Red 53A Venation color under side: Near             RHS Red 46A Mature foliage: Venation color upper side: Near             RHS Greyed-Purple 184A Venation color under side: Near RHS             Green-Yellow 1C. Petiole: Length: Average range 1.0 to 2.5             cm Diameter: 2 mm Color Young foliage: Near Red 53A Mature             foliage: Near Greyed-Purple 187B. -   Flower: Flowering and acorn production not yet observed. -   Other characteristics: -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     pathogens and pests common to Quercus have been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: The new variety is suitable for growing in     USDA zones 5 through 9. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Quercus plant named ‘FIRECRACKER’ as herein illustrated and described. 